Tough task for France - Bastareaud

France captain Mathieu Bastareaud said his side face 'a hell of a battle' when playing the All Blacks in the first Test of the Steinlager Series at Eden Park on Saturday.

"It's a very difficult match that awaits us. It's up to us to be ready for the challenge," he told media after the side's captain's run.

While it was only a short time to prepare after travelling to New Zealand they had tried to recover well and the side had stayed tight and were confident that they had a plan to take on the world champions.

Beasteraud and Maxime Medard are the only players in the team who have tasted victory over the All Blacks, in Dunedin in 2009.

"It's no longer the same team or the same players but we must take advantage of the opportunity we have here.

"Playing the All Blacks is special because they have an almost mythical status. You have to ignore that though. We are playing a team that is, of course, the world champion but we have everything to gain.

"The whole group believes it is possible, otherwise what is the point of being here. We could take a plane and go on vacation.

"If we're here, we think we can, at least, annoy them. Us older players talk with the younger ones to help them realise they are in the home of the world champions.

"It is a chance to come here and challenge them. A win here would be a feat and we are trying to make the younger players aware of that," he said.

They were expecting everything from the All Blacks. They had worked hard during the Six Nations on their defence.

"We will have to rely on that against them and, especially, to stay focused until the last minute because we know that against a team like the All Blacks that if we make the slightest mistake, the slightest misstep, then they will punish us.

"It's up to us to concentrate and not give up. They are a team that can quickly take scoring chances which can leave opponents discouraged. But as captain I refuse to accept that and that is the message I will be giving the side," he said.